Grand Prix Museum to temporarily close

Helena de Senna Fernandes

Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director of the Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO), says that the Grand Prix Museum will be closed possibly starting from the first half of next year for renovation. The initial budget to revamp the facility comes in at MOP300 million, she said, speaking on the sidelines of an American Chamber of Commerce event (see below).
Earlier this year, the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Alexis Tam, had announced that Macau will spend two to three years to complete the renovation process of the museum to rebuild it into a Grand Prix themed museum.
According to Senna Fernandes, the new theme of the museum will occupy the whole space of the Tourism Activities Centre, which is currently located solely at the basement level.
The construction will start with simple renovation works undertaken inside the building, such as maintenance of the cooling system, because, as told by Fernandes, “we need to prepare for this year’s Grand Prix.” This comment indicates that large-scale renovation works will only be initiated after the next Grand Prix.
Opened in 1993 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Macau Grand Prix, the current museum showcases several racing cars and motorbikes alongside other memorabilia related to the famous local race.
The themed museum will continue to have an exhibition section in addition to establishing an experience section, where visitors can experience 4D driving. “It will be changed from head to foot,” said Fernandes, who also revealed that her department is discussing with facilities’ suppliers, as well as with some large companies, in order to understand if all the aforementioned projects can be achieved and if new inspiration can be drawn.
By the time the renovation project commences, the Wine Museum, located in the same building, will be moved to Coloane, although “a definite location hasn’t been settled yet,” according to Senna Fernandes.
The protection of the Coloane village requires the department to first assess the situation of Coloane, as explained by the bureau’s director.
The MGTO plans to invite bids for the construction contract of the future museum in the first half of next year, and hopes the project can be completed by 2018. Staff reporter

American Chamber foresees second investment boom

The head of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham), Paul Tse, claimed that Macau’s American partners are ready to continue contributing to a healthy partnership. Tse believes that the government’s plan for the tourism sector will lead to a positive outcome, according to TDM.
Earlier this week, the AmCham hosted a luncheon where there were talks about tourism and the economic diversification of Macau.
Tse noted that Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, the director of the Government Tourism Office (MGTO), said in her presentation that “after a total reliance on gaming for so many years, Macau is now on a very concrete path to diversify its economic activities from gaming into other auxiliary areas.” Tse also noted that Macau’s American partners have benefited from cross-continental investments, particularly after Macau’s handover in 1999.
Official data shows that US investment in the city has already topped ten billion US dollars. Nevertheless, Tse foresees a second boom of investments in the near future that is not simply driven by the casinos and the hospitality sector.
“Even more important is the fact that the breath and depth of tourism in Macau are going to be greatly enhanced over the next few years through careful planning and effective execution,” observed Tse.